25 Best Fleetwood Mac Songs Of All Time

Though they started their career as a British blues band, Fleetwood Mac became one of the biggest rock bands in America in the ‘70s.

Their influential blend of pop, folk, and rock remains the gold standard among musicians. Read on for our list of the best Fleetwood Mac songs.

“Little Lies”

Song year: 1987

With heavy synthesizers highlighting Christine McVie's “Little Lies,” Fleetwood Mac would near the end of the ‘80s once again at the top of the charts.

The song utilizes vocals from Buckingham, Nicks, and McVie, creating a vocal texture that matches the staccato interplay between the different melodic voices of the instruments.

Lyrically, “Little Lies” is in the love song tradition of knowingly accepting the deceit of a lover to prolong the relationship. McVie knows it won't last, and she implies that she's better off without the lies.

The song, featuring the classic ‘70s era line-up, would be the most successful for Fleetwood Mac since their smash record Rumors.

“Gypsy”

Song year: 1982

Stevie Nicks wrote “Gypsy” as an homage to her life before the meteoric rise of Fleetwood Mac. After the band's runaway success at the end of the ‘70s, Nicks' relationship with Lindsey Buckingham had deteriorated, and “Gypsy” became Nick's attempt to reconnect with her old self.

While the song contains many trademarks of Fleetwood Macs' previous material, it also signals a shift from pop-rock to more overtly soft rock songcraft. The band would continue in this direction through the ‘80s.

The music video for “Gyspy” was one of the most expensive ever shot at the time. It was also the first to be given an exclusive “World Premiere” on the MTV network.

“Dreams”

Song year: 1977

Written in ten minutes with a keyboard and a drum machine, Stevie Nick's composition “Dreams” has become one of the most iconic Fleetwood Mac songs.

Nicks wrote the song during the stressful recording sessions for Rumours, at a time when the intertwined love lives of the band were falling apart. Nicks was inspired to write the song by the mutual turmoil.

The group initially didn't think much of the composition. Christine McVie was particularly unimpressed with the simple three-chord structure.

Despite, or maybe because of, the simple construction of the song, “Dreams” became a Billboard number one hit – the only US number one of Fleetwood Mac's career.

“Landslide”

Song year: 1975

Though it wouldn't be released as a single until two decades after its official release, “Landslide” is one of the most enduring songs of Fleetwood Mac's catalog.

Thanks in part to cover versions by the Dixie Chicks and the Smashing Pumpkins, “Landslide” has continually found new audiences across musical genres.

Stevie Nicks wrote “Landslide” before her massive success with Fleetwood Mac when she was still a struggling artist with Lindsey Buckingham. She took inspiration from the mountains of Aspen, Colorado.

Ironically, Nicks contemplates leaving behind her dreams and moving on to new ventures on “Landslide,” but the song would be the first track on Fleetwood Mac's multi-platinum selling self-titled record.

“The Chain”

Song year: 1977

“The Chain” is one of Fleetwood Mac's most collaborative efforts. The song combines sections of tracks that the band had scrapped during the writing process into a new composition. It is one of the few Fleetwood Mac songs with writing credits from every band member.

Many critics consider “The Chain” indicative of the turmoil Fleetwood Mac was experiencing during the recording of Rumours. Through its lyrical allusions and collaborative composition, “The Chain” has come to represent the drama that surrounded the band during the late ‘70s.

“The Chain” is a staple of Fleetwood Mac's live performances, often starting the show. It has appeared in multiple films and television programs.

“Tusk”

Song year: 1979

After the massive success of Rumours, Lindsey Buckingham and Fleetwood Mac seemed like they could do no wrong. Carrying this attitude into the studio, the band began work on a new album. Taking an experimental approach, the song “Tusk” was born.

The song's main riff is based on a guitar warm-up that Buckingham commonly used for rehearsals. The song's heavy percussion is a collage of tracks that includes Mick Fleetwood hitting a lamb chop and kleenex boxes with a spatula.

The University of Southern California's marching band also contributes to “Tusk,” helping it set the record for most people playing on a single. Despite its experimental nature, “Tusk” would be a top ten hit.

“Go Your Own Way”

Song year: 1976

“Go Your Own Way” was the first single released from Fleetwood Mac's Rumours and their first top ten hit in the US. The Lindsey Buckingham composition has a distinct rock feel, the inspiration of which Buckingham credits to the Rolling Stones.

The song is about Buckingham's perspective on his relationship with Stevie Nicks. From all accounts, the two barely got along during this time, with most of their interactions devolving into arguments.

As the leadoff single for Rumours, “Go Your Own Way” would set the tone musically and thematically for their most artistically and commercially successful era. Rolling Stone magazine considers the song one of the 500 best of all time.

“Everywhere”

Song year: 1987

Christine McVie scored another hit for Fleetwood Mac in the ‘80s with her dreamy, synthpop ballad “Everywhere.” The song was the final single off the band's multi-platinum selling Tango in the Night.

“Everywhere” finds Fleetwood Mac with a considerably more positive viewpoint on love than their successful ‘70s songs. McVie was newly married upon writing the track, and her new lease on love lent “Everywhere” an innocent perspective on love.

Through studio tricks and synthesized keyboards, “Everywhere” would employ modern technology to bolster Fleetwood Mac's classic songwriting.

“Everywhere” continues to find new listeners through pop and indie rock covers.

“Remember Me”

Song year: 1973

Though the Fleetwood Mac album Penguin would show a band transitioning from blues to pop music, most of the album does not sound close to what we remember of Fleetwood Mac.

But then there's “Remember Me,” a Christine McVie track that sounds ripped straight from their Rumours era. McVie's impassioned vocal captures the urgent desperation of her appeals to a lover.

Coupled with acoustic and slide guitars, “Remember Me” is a criminally forgotten slice of ‘70s country rock. The pop approach of the song would be fully embraced by the band several years later, resulting in some of the most popular albums of the era.

“Hold Me”

Song year: 1982

After the experimental nature of their 1979 album Tusk, Fleetwood Mac got back to their poppier territory as they entered the ‘80s. And American audiences couldn't get enough. Their single “Hold Me” would spend seven weeks at number four on the charts.

“Hold Me” would help the Fleetwood Mac sell millions of copies of Mirage. But the interpersonal dynamics of the band were fraught with drama despite their continued success.

The romantic fallouts from the previous decade continued to color their interactions with one another, making the peppy nature of “Hold Me” an impressive feat.

“Rhiannon”

Song year: 1976

Stevie Nicks wrote “Rhiannon” after reading the novel Triad. The book is about a woman possessed by a Welsh Witch named Rhiannon, from which Nicks would take inspiration for her character.

Like several other of her best-known songs, “Rhiannon” was written by Nicks quickly.

Live versions of “Rhiannon” are longer in length and feature a visceral vocal performance from Nicks. Where the studio version is haunting and measured, the live version seems as if Nicks is channeling a wild version of her “Rhiannon” character.

“Rhiannon” would find chart success in America and abroad, and in later years would be recognized as one of Fleetwood Mac's best songs.

“Seven Wonders”

Song year: 1987

A rarity for Fleetwood Mac, “Seven Wonders” was written almost entirely by a songwriter outside of the group. Except for a minor tweak in the lyrics, the song was composed by Sandy Stewart.

“Seven Wonders” continues in the ‘80s style production that the group began with their album Mirage. The song is notable for its historical references creating nostalgia for a past love affair. Though not written by the members, this theme is consistent with their romantic pasts.

Stevie Nicks would perform the song on American Horror Story, putting it back on the charts nearly three decades after its initial release.

“Silver Springs”

Song year: 1977

“Silver Springs” was written by Stevie Nicks during the sessions for Rumours but wouldn't make the final album. Instead, it became the b-side to the single “Go Your Own Way.”

The song details Nicks' perspective on the end of her relationship with Lindsey Buckingham. Though Nicks mined personal material for her subject matter, the title came from a freeway sign in Maryland.

Fleetwood Mac would reunite in 1997 for their live album The Dance. “Silver Springs” was included in the setlist and became a single. It would garner a Grammy Award nomination twenty years after its inception.

“Over My Head”

Song year: 1975

Christine McVie and then-husband John McVie were recouping after their tour for Heroes Are Hard to Find when McVie wrote “Over My Head.” The song would become the first single off Fleetwood Mac's eponymous record and hit the top twenty in the US.

“Over My Head” was the first single released with newly recruited members Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, introducing what would become the classic lineup of Fleetwood Mac.

“Over My Head” is a tale of an up and down relationship that, when taken in context with Fleetwood Mac's history, serves as a bit of foreshadowing. Christine and John McVie would soon separate.

“Big Love”

Song year: 1987

Lindsey Buckingham originally wrote “Big Love” for a solo record, but the album soon became another Fleetwood Mac project. The song was the first single released for the album Tango in the Night, reaching the top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Fleetwood Mac continued their mainstream relevance by adapting to the times. “Big Love” utilizes synthesizers and a dance drum beat, keeping it in line with 80s pop. The band also released a dance remix for clubs, and this version was a top ten dance hit.

“Big Love” would help Tango in the Night become a platinum-selling album while Buckingham continues to play the song during his solo concerts.

“You Make Loving Fun”

Song year: 1977

Christine McVie had to lie to her husband and bandmate, John McVie, about the subject matter of “You Make Loving Fun.” Though it was about an affair she had with a member of Fleetwood Mac's crew, she said it was about their dog.

The loose, keyboard-driven sound of “You Make Loving Fun” is due to the bulk of the composition formulated without the presence of guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. Christine McVie felt this gave her the freedom to develop the song differently.

“You Make Loving Fun” would become the fourth and final top-ten single from Fleetwood Mac's Rumours.

“Say You Love Me”

Song year: 1975

“Say You Love Me” is one of the breezier tracks in Fleetwood Mac's catalog. This 1975 Christine McVie penned single peaked at number eleven on the Billboard chart.

Whereas the end of the decade would find Fleetwood Mac living out their real-life drama through their songs, “Say You Love Me” is a blast of sweetness — though the singer seems trepidatious at her inability to ward off her consuming feelings.

Fleetwood Mac would perform “Say You Live Me” regularly live. The band would even play it at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

“Sara”

Song year: 1979

Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood would begin a relationship after Nicks left Lindsey Buckingham. But as the love triangle sizzled, Mick Fleetwood would pursue a relationship with Stevie Nicks' best friend. Nicks wrote about Fleetwood and her friend on her Tusk standout single, “Sara.”

By now, I'm sure you've come to realize just how incestuous and sordid Fleetwood Mac was. Listening to the performance and lyrics of “Sara” it is easy to see how quickly something as simple as affection can snowball into complications.

Nicks and Fleetwood were never an exclusive pair, and “Sara” is melancholy but also sounds appreciative. Fleetwood Mac could always show how love is complicated.

“I Don’t Want To Know”

Song year: 1977

Stevie Nick's “I Don't Want to Know” was included on the album Rumours after her composition “Silver Springs” was cut. The light, country-rock song offers a musical reprieve from the heavier moments on the album. However, the subject matter of a relationship ending is still the song's focal point.

Nicks wrote the “I Don't Want to Know” long before her time with Fleetwood Mac when she performed as a duo with Lindsey Buckingham. It was Buckingham who suggested using the song for Rumours.

The song remains a fan favorite with its catchy acoustic guitar strumming, tight vocal harmonies, and classic Buckingham guitar solo.

“Prove Your Love”

Song year: 1974

Before Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac, Bob Welch and Christine McVie wrote the bulk of the group's material. Though major success eluded them, many compositions from this earlier era would point to their future direction.

Though McVie's “Prove Your Love” wasn't released as a single, her throaty, haunting voice and jilted piano rhythms are unmistakable.

The song was a high point on the album Heroes Are Hard to Find and would help it become their first top 40 album. It would also serve as a precursor for the international success the band would have once they teamed up with Buckingham and Nicks.

“Gold Dust Woman”

Song year: 1977

Stevie Nicks has admitted that “Gold Dust Woman” is partially about cocaine abuse, though she didn't view the song as being about herself at the time. However, the song's theme of excess would predict Nicks' substance abuse issues in the coming years.

Cocaine use amongst artists was high in the ‘70s, with Nicks and her fellow bandmates viewing their use of the drug as harmlessly recreational. Nicks would go to rehab for the drug in the late ‘80s.

Nicks managed to get clean in the ‘90s after becoming addicted to sedatives prescribed to her to help beat cocaine use. “Gold Dust Woman” stands as a dark and knowing nod to the power of drug abuse.

“Albatross”

Song year: 1969

Before the songwriting and melodic talents of Buckingham, Nicks, and Christine McVie joined Fleetwood Mac, the group was more inclined towards traditional blues. During the late ‘60s, the band was primarily known for the deft guitar work of Peter Green.

Of this era, “Albatross” was the band's only number one hit in the UK. Featuring intoxicatingly intertwined guitars and drums that sound like ocean waves, the song marks a creative departure from the band's usual blues.

Fleetwood Mac would go on to more notoriety with their hits in the ‘70s and ‘80s, but for blues fans and guitar aficionados, Peter Green's work with the band is some of the best of the UK's heavy blues period.

“As Long As You Follow”

Song year: 1988

“As Long As You Follow” was written by Christine McVie as one of two originals on Fleetwood Mac's 1988 greatest hits collection. With the band's profile elevated after the success of the previous year's Tango in the Night, “As Long As You Follow” would chart in the US and UK.

The song has a slightly different feel as guitarist Lindsey Buckingham had left the band. His replacement, Rick Vito, provided a different approach to the guitar. The resulting pop sound of the guitar marks the band's further acceptance of a soft-rock sound.

“What Makes You Think You’re The One”

Song year: 1979

Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood get loose on “What Makes You Think You're the One.”

Lindsey Buckingham was looking to shake the constraints placed on the band after their massive hit record Rumours. His approach to writing and recording Tusk reflected an artist pushing against their boundaries.

Buckingham and Fleetwood were recording late into the night, and by the time they were cutting “What Makes You Think You're The One,” Fleetwood had shed any common approach to drumming. Instead, the drummer employs a cut-and-paste style that eschews the song's structure.

The result was an entirely fresh-sounding version of a four on the floor drumming concept and a creative peak for a band also at their commercial peak.

“Just Crazy Love”

Song year: 1973

The Christine McVie song “Just Crazy Love” was a precursor of the pop direction that would catapult Fleetwood Mac to international stardom in a few years. But before those fertile years, McVie and Fleetwood Mac would only barely grace the pop charts with their album Mystery to Me.

“Just Crazy Love” shows that McVie was ready for her star turn. Her jaunty piano licks and airy vocal delivery pack refreshing energy into the lyrics' tale of love ill-advised love.

Guitarist Bob Welch would leave the band a year later, and Fleetwood Mac would hire Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks as a replacement. Though this would become known as their classic line-up, “Just Crazy Love” shows McVie was a talent the whole time.

Best Fleetwood Mac Songs Ever, Final Thoughts

Fleetwood Mac's career spans so many decades and genres that it's easy to see how they've come to be one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century.

Because of their dedication to songcraft and performance, Fleetwood Mac's unique sound has become synonymous with classic rock.

We hope you liked our list of the best Fleetwood Mac songs. Now load these onto a playlist and enjoy!